Ming Dynasty: The Crocodile King of Han Prince Zhu Gaoxu's Family

Chapter 175 The Argument Between the Crown Prince and Yu Qian
After hearing his son's words, the Prince of Han fell silent for a while.

“My son is right!” At this moment, Princess Wei’s voice suddenly came from outside the door.

Zhu Zhanhe turned around and saw his mother, Madam Wei, carrying a bundle of mourning clothes as she walked in, followed by his aunt, Xiu'er, carrying a food box.

"Mother! Aunt Xiuer!" Zhu Zhanhe greeted the newcomer with a cupped hand.

Aunt Xiuer didn't say anything, but simply nodded to Zhu Zhanhe and Princess Wei before leaving, closing the door behind her.

Princess Wei did not speak again. She reached out and took a piece of clothing, putting it over the Prince of Han's soft armor, and carefully helped him put it on.

"We'll be keeping vigil for seven days. I'll prepare cushions, cloth boots, and some food for you and He'er."

"The night air is quite chilly; it's really bad if it gets into your lungs." Princess Wei gently instructed the Prince of Han as she helped him put on his clothes.

"What's missing in the palace?" The Prince of Han was silent for a moment after hearing what his wife had prepared before speaking slowly.

"Sigh~" The Prince of Han sighed deeply, staring intently at his reflection in the bronze mirror, which showed him with a full beard.

"Any news lately?" After putting on his inner lining to cover his soft armor, the Prince of Han asked.

“Recently, the whole country has been busy with national mourning. Before returning, the Crown Princess…” Mother Wei subconsciously said “Crown Princess”, but then felt it was inappropriate and stopped abruptly.

Before returning, the Empress bestowed upon him some fabrics and jewelry.

It's so difficult to see her now; it's as if the people in the palace have all conspired together.

The third son's family was also inquiring everywhere. "Mother Wei seemed to be giving an irrelevant answer, but Zhu Zhanhe could tell that now that the new emperor had ascended the throne, the people in the palace were keeping their mouths shut, and no news had come out yet.

Zhu Zhanhe felt a pang of sadness as he watched his mother's eyes redden as she dressed his father, the Prince of Han, in mourning clothes.

If it weren't for his father, the Prince of Han, insisting on causing this trouble, his whole family would be enjoying a life of luxury in Yunnan right now!

"What's wrong?" Seeing his wife on the verge of tears, the Prince of Han pursed his lips and asked.

“After you returned from the campaign, you’ve been sitting here looking in the mirror, like you’re possessed.” After tying the hemp rope around the Prince of Han’s waist, his mother, Lady Wei, burst into tears.

"I've been thinking lately, is there anyone in this world more unlucky than you two!"

"How did I end up with a prince like me!" The Prince of Han stared at his wife, then looked at his son beside him, and couldn't help but sigh. He then walked away, not daring to look at his wife's tears.

"Father, what do you think of the agreement we made before the expedition?" Zhu Zhanhe looked at his father, who stood with his hands on his hips and seemed somewhat somber, and felt that this scene was somewhat reminiscent of his grandfather, the Yongle Emperor. So he spoke up to remind the Prince of Han not to forget their agreement.

"I have already instructed Steward Hu to begin transferring the mansion's important assets to Yunnan."

"And your marriage, I asked the eldest son today, and he said that after the court finishes its mourning period, they will hold a wedding for you." The Prince of Han felt uncomfortable when he heard his son's question. His son's inability to fully support him made him feel awkward, but he still answered his son's question.

"Father, since you are wearing soft armor, it must be for more than just protection against weapons."

"You're probably still thinking of causing trouble at Grandpa's funeral, aren't you?" Zhu Zhanhe looked at his father, whose face was gloomy, and exposed the Prince of Han's thoughts.

"That's right, He'er, you're right. I intend to take advantage of the fact that all the princes in the country are here."
I just want to ask the boss, how did the old man pass away?
Why did no news reach me when the old man died so close to my 3,000-strong battalion?

Why did they sneak around and bring the old man's body back to Beijing?
Why did they send the Imperial Guard soldiers to attack my escort?

I just want to know, what exactly are the bosses up to?!

We swore an oath not to kill each other, but it didn't mean that if he killed me, I couldn't fight back!
I didn't say we couldn't ask how the old man died!
"I want to make the court suspicious and uncertain, and then launch a righteous army to settle the score in one fell swoop!" The Prince of Han turned to look at his burly son, put his hands on his hips, walked up to his son, stretched out one hand and waved it, and loudly expressed his inner thoughts.

Upon hearing the Prince of Han's words, tears welled up in Princess Wei's eyes. "Since Father has this idea, I will not object."

However, just like before, our son will ensure the safety of our entire household.

Perhaps in his father's eyes, the throne was more important.

"But Father, in my opinion, are Mother, my younger brothers and sisters more important than the position you desire?" Zhu Zhanhe truthfully expressed his thoughts to the Prince of Han. He did not agree with gambling the lives of his entire family on an unknown outcome! Zhu Zhanhe did not object to his father's idea; it was simply that the two of them had different opinions.

One wanted to sit on the throne, the other wanted his family to be safe and sound.

Upon hearing his son's words, the Prince of Han paused for a moment, then strode to the doorway, stood there for a long time, before finally flicking his sleeves and leaving.

"Mother, don't worry. With your son here, no one in the world can harm our family!" Seeing his mother starting to shed tears, Zhu Zhanhe felt very sorry for her and quickly handed her a handkerchief to comfort her.

"He'er, as long as our whole family is safe and sound, that's all I ask for..." Princess Wei said tearfully, comforted by her son's words.

On the other side, Crown Prince Zhu Zhanji, Grand Secretary Yang Shiqi, and Yu Qian were engaged in a heated discussion about whether or not to kill the Prince of Han and the Prince of Zhao in the mourning hall.

"If you're going to kill someone, you must follow the law!" Yu Qian stared intently at Zhu Zhanji, trying his best to dissuade him from killing the Prince of Han and the Prince of Zhao in the mourning hall.

"A pedantic scholar! A pedantic scholar!" Zhu Zhanji was so angry at Yu Qian's words that he jumped up from his chair and paced back and forth anxiously.

"All the princes of the country are here!"

"If you dare to lay a knife before the spirit tablet, the whole country will rebel within a month!" Yu Qian gritted his teeth, pointed at Zhu Zhanji, and roared angrily.

"If we don't kill you today, what will happen if you rebel tomorrow?!"

In terms of military prowess, strategy, and experience in leading troops, who among you is qualified to fight?!

"Who dares to say that victory is assured?!" Zhu Zhanji walked behind the chair, gripping the wooden backrest tightly with both hands, and loudly questioned Yu Qian and Yang Shiqi, unwilling to be outdone. He knew very well that if the Prince of Han and the Prince of Zhao rebelled, the court would have no one to rely on!

"The foundation of my Great Ming Dynasty has been reduced to ashes, a loss that outweighs the gain!" Zhu Zhanji also stared wide-eyed, arguing loudly, his saliva almost spraying onto Yu Qian's face.

Zhu Zhanji's words made Yu Qian sneer repeatedly.

Zhu Zhanji responded to Yu Qian's sneer with a sneer in return.

Zhu Zhanji then approached Yang Shiqi, who had remained silent throughout, and helped Yang Shiqi into the chair he was sitting upright.

"Grand Secretary Yang, the story I've hated most since I was a child is the Feast at Hongmen."

Xiang Yu released Liu Bang at the Feast at Hongmen, and thus lost his kingdom!
"To force such a peerless hero to commit suicide at the Wujiang River!" Zhu Zhanji roared angrily again, waving his arms and expressing his inner resentment.

"Neither of them will submit to me!" Zhu Zhanji came to Yu Qian, put his hand on Yu Qian's shoulder, and told Yu Qian the most crucial reason: the King of Han and the King of Zhao would not submit to him!

"Grand Secretary Yang, the Crown Prince is asking you a question!" Faced with Zhu Zhanji's stubbornness, Yu Qian didn't want to say anything more to him and directly asked the Minister of War for his opinion. He also wanted to know what Yang Shiqi's opinion was.

Immediately, Zhu Zhanji and Yu Qian both turned their attention to Yang Shiqi.

“There are advantages to killing, and there are advantages to not killing!” Faced with the piercing gaze of Prince Zhu Zhanji, Yang Shiqi looked conflicted and fell into deep thought. After a long silence, he finally managed to utter these words.

In fact, Yang Shiqi considered many things, including whether to kill or not, which made it impossible for him to make a decision!

Of course, the most important reason is the last edict that Emperor Yongle left him!
This imperial edict is still in Yang Shiqi's hands to this day, and he has not yet delivered it to Emperor Hongxi!

Because Yang Shiqi didn't know whether he should send it or not!
Because Yang Shiqi didn't know what kind of changes would occur after he sent it!
(End of this chapter)